Mercer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
Ireland
Scotland

The Mercer surname derives from the Old French "mercier," in turn from the Late Latin "mercarius," both meaning merchandise. In Middle English, Mercer was an occupational name for a trader who dealt in textiles.

Interestingly, not all of the family emigrated to England during the Conquest or shortly thereafter as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists "Hubert, Hugh, Richard, Odo Mercer or Mercier [in] Normandy 1180-95. Bertin and Buno le Mercier [were also found in] Normandy [at that time.]" 1

Early Origins of the Mercer family

The surname Mercer was first found in Northumberland but as a frequent occupational name, many records were found in various parts of ancient England. In fact, Serio le Mercer as Lord Mayor of London in 1215 and again from 1218 to 1221. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Jordan de Mercer, Lincolnshire; Adelard le Mercer, Oxfordshire; and Ketel le Mercer, Cambridgeshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 have only one listing of the name: Thomas Mercer. 2

Without a doubt, Scotland holds the most history for this family. One of the first records there was William Mercer or le Mercer who witnessed two charters in favor of the Abbey of Kelso, c. 1200. A few years later, "Aleumnus Mercer was party with twenty-three others to a bond given by Alexander 11 to Henry III in 1244 to keep the peace. He had a grant of Tillicoultry from Walter, son of Alan. His son and successor of the same name resigned his lands into the king's hands in 1261. A curious story of two Mercers appears in English records, which throws an interesting sidelight on the law of the period. In 1279 'a man unknown was housed at Morpathe (Morpeth) with Geoffrey and William, the mercers of Scotland. The stranger rose through the night and stole their goods to the value of 30s., and instantly fled to Cotinwode, followed by William, who slew him in his flight. Both withdrew themselves and are not discredited. They may return if they will, but their chattels are confiscated for flight' (Apparently it was lawful to pursue a thief with hue and cry and do summary justice on him if found with the goods in his possession. The Mercers erred in not pursuing the thief in the recognized way.) " 3

Early History of the Mercer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mercer research. Another 251 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1272, 1281, 1296, 1332, 1541, 1557, 1605, 1675, 1730, 1790, 1791, 1866 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mercer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mercer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mercer, Mercier, Merser, Marcer and others.

Early Notables of the Mercer family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

William Mercer (c.1605-1675), a Scottish poet and army officer in the Engagers army

Mercer World Ranking

In the United States, the name Mercer is the 835^th most popular surname with an estimated 34,818 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Mercer is ranked the 537^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,203 people with that name. 5 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Mercer is the 13^rd popular surname with an estimated 953 people with that name. 6 Australia ranks Mercer as 841^st with 4,685 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Mercer as 589^th with 1,217 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Mercer as 602^nd with 10,849 people. 9

Migration of the Mercer family to Ireland

Some of the Mercer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mercer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mercer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Luce Mercer aged 18, settled in New England in 1635
Robert Mercer, who both arrived in Virginia in 1635
Dorcas Mercer, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 10
Lucy Mercer, aged 18, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" 10
Richard Mercer, who arrived in Virginia in 1643 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mercer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Samuel Mercer, who arrived in Georgia in 1741 10
General Hugh Mercer, who arrived from Scotland after Culloden (1746) and fought in the Revolutionary War
James Francis Mercer, who landed in Oswego, NY in 1756 10
Gideon Mercer, who landed in New York in 1767 10
Hugh Mercer, who arrived in Virginia in 1777 10

Mercer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Mercer, aged 53, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 10
Robert Mercer, aged 47, who landed in Maine in 1812 10
George B Mercer, who arrived in Texas in 1835 10
Bernard Mercer, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 10
Stephen Mercer, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1867 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mercer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mercer Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Abel Mercer, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Capt. Joseph Mercer U.E. born in North Carolina who settled in Kings County, New Brunswick c. 1778 he served in the Loyalist Corps, he died in 1779 11
Mr. Joseph Mercer U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 11
Mr. Joseph Mercer Sr., U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 11

Mercer migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Mercer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Mercer, British Convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life , transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
David Mercer, a plasterer, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. Henry Mercer, (b. 1806), aged 23, English boot maker who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 19th August 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1872 13
Mr. William Mercer, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 18th June 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
Mr. Richard Mercer, British Convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Lancaster, England for life, transported aboard the "Asia" on 20th July 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mercer migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Mercer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. Mercer, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Harrington" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 15th June 1841 16
John Mercer, aged 27, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
Sarah Mercer, aged 27, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
Betsy Mercer, aged 7, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
Mary Mercer, aged 5, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mercer migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17

Mercer Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Andrew Mercer, who settled in Barbados in 1634
William Mercer and his wife Anne, who settled in Barbados in 1678
William Mercer settled with his wife Anne and daughter Elizabeth in Barbados in 1678

Contemporary Notables of the name Mercer (post 1700) +

Mabel Mercer (1900-1984), English born cabaret singer and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Rebekah Mercer (b. 1973), American heiress, foundation director of The Mercer Family Foundation, daughter of billionaire hedge fund manager Robert Mercer
Robert Leroy "Bob" Mercer (b. 1946), American computer scientist, early developer in artificial intelligence, co-CEO of Renaissance Technologies, a hedge fund; he played a key role in Brexit campaign and Breitbart News
George Barclay "Win" Mercer (1874-1903), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1894 to 1902
Matthew Mercer (b. 1982), American voice actor, screenwriter, and film director
Johnny Mercer (1909-1976), American lyricist, songwriter and singer and four-time Academy Award winner
Gabriela Saucedo Mercer, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Arizona 3rd District, 2012 18
Frederick O. Mercer, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1944 18
Frank H. Mercer, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Stratford, 1930, 1932 18
Mrs. Frank Mercer, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Connecticut, 1932 18
... (Another 42 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Mercer family +

Halifax Explosion

Mr. Robert E. Mercer (1874-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19
Mrs. Maitland Mercer (1896-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Frederick Mercer, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20

HMS Repulse

Mr. James Mercer (b. 1910), British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 21

SS Newfoundland

Mr. John Mercer (1880-1914), Newfoundlander from Bay Roberts, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time

SS Southern Cross

Mr. John Mercer (1885-1914), Newfoundlander from Upper Island Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
Mr. John Charles Mercer (1891-1914), Newfoundlander from Upper Island Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

The Mercer Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Crux Christi nostra corona
Motto Translation: The cross of Christ is our crown.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th February 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1837
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 25) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html